Kevin decided to sleep in the hammock, so I had the bed to myself. Well, sort of. To myself and two dogs.
For once, I was happy to wake up early because we had a plan. Each day, the owners of a ranch down the road deliver a few trays of cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit pies to the Historic Gifford House. We found out the day before that they usually arrive around 8:15, and once they are gone they are gone. So...we walked with the dogs on short trail from our campsite to the house and arrived just as the delivery van was backing up to the house. Kevin went inside with the other campers who had gathered there and emerged with two cinnamon rolls and a still warm strawberry-rhubarb pie.
We headed back to our site to enjoy our feast. We decided to save the cinnamon rolls for later and dug into the pie while it was still warm. I thought I loved Capitol Reef National Park before...the sweet breakfast treats after a stroll under cottonwood trees and along a stream sealed the deal.
After breakfast, we reluctantly packed up and pulled out of the campsite. The drive out of the park offered even more beautiful views, and we were already making plans for our next visit before we even exited the park.
On our way out of the park we stopped to check out the one room schoolhouse. Its last group of students graduated in 1941.
Our first stop on our action packed day was at Goblin Valley State Park. Our timing was bad--we arrived at the midpoint of the day and it was over 100 degrees--but we took a few minutes to explore the valley named for the goblin-like structures created by wind and water erosion. This park was nice because dogs were allowed in the area and you are allowed to climb on and through the structures. If only it wasn't so hot!
We checked out the campsite in the park before leaving. They were nice! And we laughed when we discovered what appears to be the worlds most challenging disc golf course by the campgrounds! It would be fun to explore the goblins in the evening.
Once we worked up a bit of a sweat and the dogs were panting a bit, we all drank some water and turned the air on full blast in the truck and set out to revisit a spot from last year--Hite. We camped in Hite last year. It is the spot that sparked Kevin's dam obsession because Hite used to be a campground located on the banks of Lake Powell, but the drought and public overuse has completely drained the area. It was empty last year too, but this year the bathrooms were closed and it just felt so sad. Two abandoned boats sit unclaimed and the boat ramp leads down to dry dirt. We had originally thought we may stay at Hite for the night, but once we were there we decided to keep on going.
About an hour away from Hite is Utah's first National Monument and an official "Dark Sky Zone": Natural Bridges National Monument. Known for its three natural bridges, this area has a small campsite, scenic loop, and hiking trails. We chose a site nestled back in some pinyon pine trees, juniper, and sage brush...oh...and cactus...and decided to beat the heat in the air conditioned truck by enjoying the scenic loop to see the bridges. Natural bridges differ from arches because bridges are at least partially formed by water--rivers, streams, etc--flowing under them while arches do not. In addition to checking out the arches, I hiked a short trail to see ancient Native American ruins from the year 1 AD. Year 1!!!!!!
After driving the loop, we headed back "home" and discovered that our neighbor was also our neighbor from the night before! Kevin chatted with him for a bit while I read in the hammock and enjoyed the sounds of another camper playing the guitar. Once again I found myself closing my eyes and freeze framing the moment for a time when I need to feel calm and relaxed.
Kevin made dinner so I could finish reading my book. I headed to bed early (again!); this fresh air makes me sleepy! And Kevin waited out by the campfire for the stars to emerge. This park is recognized as a "Dark Sky Zone" because of the lack of light pollution because of its remote location and because of measures the park has taken to eliminate light pollution from within the park. Even from inside the Scamp I could see the stars and the Milky Way up above.
Our night at Natural Bridges was not a planned stop, but we sure are glad we decided to check it out!
Was a heck of a sightseeing day and the driving was super easy.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me going on Hite...
Do you just camp at National parks?
ReplyDeleteNope. We camp wherever we find as long as they don't require reservations. We stayed at more parks and monuments because we had the parks pass this summer but we stay at state park, wildlife areas, national parks, national monuments, and our favorite - national forests.
ReplyDelete